Per an official statement from the Nationals, outfielder Steven Souza has been added to the team’s 40-man roster.

As I wrote in my year-end Senators’ MVP rankings, “Various injuries kept Souza on the shelf for over two months of the season, but for 77 games the outfielder was a force to be reckoned with at the plate, on the basepaths, and in the field. Even with limited plate appearances Souza led the team in most offensive categories including batting average, OPS, doubles, and home runs. He was tied for the team-high in stolen bases with twenty, and displayed a cannon as he registered eight outfield assists. More importantly for the Senators, Souza became a true leader both on and off the field in a role that he would grow into as the squad chased a playoff berth.”

After six years of service time, Souza was slated to become a minor league free agent five days after the World Series ended. Adding him to the Major League roster precludes that from happening and also protects him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft.